TRAGEDY UNWINDS – Mystery Solved, Questions Remain

On Sunday, July 28, 2013, the WPS announced they recovered the body of Lisa Gibson (32) from the treacherous waters of the Red River.

Gibson was located Saturday, July 27, 2013 at approximately 9:30 a.m. after she was spotted by a group of canoeists in an area south of the Alexander Docks.

Police indicate the investigation remains open and is being continued by members of the WPS Homicide Unit.

Although the mystery surrounding the whereabouts of Lisa Gibson has been solved, questions regarding her mental health issues remain live. Gibson is reported to have been recently diagnosed with postpartum depression and was the last person known to be with her children before they were drowned in a bathtub at the family residence on Wednesday morning. (July 24, 2013)

After recovering Gibson’s body, the WPS Public Information Office forwarded a message from an unidentified mental health professional who offered information to educate members of the media and public who may be trying to understand the complexities of this tragedy.

“It is being reported that your police service is considering whether postpartum depression may be a factor in the recent deaths of two children and their mother. As a psychotherapist I would like to provide some feedback on this subject.

Postpartum depression would not cause someone to take lives, including their own. Postpartum psychosis could however. The distinction is incredibly important. Postpartum depression is very common. Postpartum psychosis is not.

The news agency may not have quoted your officers correctly. However, if they did, I ask that you consider addressing what would be a troubling lack of understanding and sensitivity to issues of mental health.”

Postpartum psychosis or not, the tragic incident at #3 Coleridge Park Drive will go down in the history books as a double murder / suicide. As in any homicide case, many questions remain unanswered. Questions surrounding Gibson’s diagnosis, medication and treatment plan.

These are questions that must be answered.

The answers to these questions must be disclosed to a deeply affected Community who continues to struggle with the shock and sadness of the loss of two innocent children and their troubled mother. A woman who appears to have recognized the danger she presented to her children.

The hard questions have to be asked so that tragedies such as this might be avoided in the future.

This is no time for a white wash.

GOOGLE MAP:

Map shows location Gibson believed to have entered river system and approximate area of body recovery.

FACTOIDS:

The deaths of Anna & Nicholas Gibson will be recorded as the 14th & 15th Homicides in Winnipeg in 2013.